Ford is giving us a more colorful look at its refreshed 2015 Expedition after the initial announcement in February and before it goes on sale in the States, with the release of a new batch of images of the SUV in different shades and trims, along with fresh details including output numbers.
The 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 EcoBoost unit that replaces the 310hp and 365 lb-ft 5.4-liter V8 is rated for 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque and is paired to a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, offering a towing rating of up to 9,200 pounds “when properly equipped”.
We still don’t know how much fuel it consumes, but the Blue Oval says it will be the most “fuel-efficient Expedition ever”.
Ford also confirmed the introduction of a top-of-the-line Platinum series with special interior appointment for the first time on the Expedition. It adds “lush leather that’s soft and smooth to the touch ” leather – Ford’s words, not ours- in a choice of red wine color with tuxedo-stripe accents and French-seamed stitching, or Ebony with Agate Gray accents.
The 2015 Expedition lineup also includes the “sporty” XLT, plush Limited and “rugged” King Ranch grades.
Besides these changes, Ford’s facelifted body-on-frame SUV sports restyled front (mostly) and rear ends, redesigned instrument cluster and center console, new electrically assisted power steering, improved sound dampening, an available continuously controlled suspension damping system, and new tech features such as a radar-based blind spot alert system.
By John Halas
PHOTO GALLERY
